Arrangement of alpha clock on the steering element of motor vehicles



F. BOLANZ Oct. 24, 1933.

ARRANGEMENT OF A CLOCK ON THE STEERING ELEMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES Filed April 23, 1950 Patented Oct. 24, 1933 ARRANGEMENT OF A CLOCK ON THE STEERING ELEMENT OF MOTOR VE- HICLES Friedrich Bolanz, Weil-on-the-Rhine, Germany 3 Claims.

This invention relates to the connection of a clock with the signalling knob on the steering element of motor vehicles.

According to the invention the clock is con- U nected with the signalling knob so that the spring of the signalling knob forms a' soft elastic bearing for the clock. The device proper is fastened in a convenient range of vision on the centre of the steering wheel, the signalling device being actuated by depressing the clock glass.

A feature of the invention consists in that the clock rests in a wide protecting casing, insured against impacts.

The protecting casing is rigidly connected with the clock and the signalling knob so that the upper edge of the protecting casing can be utilized in a convenient manner as signalling ring.

A further feature consists in that the signalling casing extends downwardly in a square, which is embedded in a corresponding cavity, in the signal knob, the casing with the clock being connected with the signalling knob by means of a screw the head of which is lying within the sig nalling knob, so that the casing with the clock is effectively secured against theft.

A further feature consists in that the setting of the clock hands is eifected by lifting and turning the clock winding ring, contrary to the known de- 9 vices, in which the setting of the hands is effected by depressing the winding ring of the clock, whereby the signalling device was also actuated so that the setting of the hands was only possible with the simultaneous annoying hooting. The hand adjusting may also be effected by depressing a reversing pin and turning the winding up ring instead of raising and turning the clock winding ring.

The invention is further characterized by the arrangement of speedometers and odometers 40 mounted in the casing and indicating the speed or the daily and total distance travelled on the dial of the clock.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 .is a top plan view of the arrangement and Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section.

The clock 1 is arranged in the centre of the steering wheel 4, provided with a cover plate 5 and is mounted in a cylindrical protecting casing 2, which protects it against impacts from all directions. The protecting casing 2 extends downwards into a square 10, which lies embedded in an according aperture in the upper end 01' a hollow signalling knob 3 that is resiliently mount-'-' ed as at 3a. The protecting casing 2 and the square portion 10 of the clock 1 are connected with the signalling knob by means of a screw 6. The head of the screw is situated in the signal- 5 ling knob 3 and consequently also in the steering wheel, so that the clock can only be removed after the steering wheel has been unscrewed after the cover plate has been removed and the rod system taken out. By this manner of screwing the arrangement is reliably protected against theft. 7 designates a clamping plate for securing the signalling knob, clock and protecting casing together. A rubber pad 9 is arranged between the clock 1 and the protecting casing 2. The signalling device is actuated by exerting pressure on the clock glass or on the edge of the protecting case. The winding ring 8 of the clock is at the same time constructed as adjusting ring for the hands. The adjustment is eifected by lifting and turning the winding ring. The hands may also 5 be adjusted by pressing in a reversing pin and turning the clock winding ring. (Not shown in the drawing.) Speedometer and odometer are also arranged in the protecting casing for deter- 39 mining the daily and total distance travelled, the result being suitably indicated on the dial.

I claim:-

I. As a means for mounting a clock upon and co-axial with a steering wheel, a resiliently 3 mounted signalling knob co-axial with thesteering wheel and projecting above the latter, and means for anchoring the clock to said knob to locate the clock superposed relative to and movable with the knob during signalling movementsw of the latter, and an annular protecting casing for" the clock anchored between the clock and knob by the anchoring means, the diametrical dimension of the clock being greater than that or the knob. ,9

2. As a means for mounting a clock upon and co-axial with a steering wheel, a resiliently mounted signalling member carried by the steering wheel in axial alinement therewith and yieldable in the direction of wheel axis, a clock rigidly, l secured to the signalling member axially thereof, a cup-shaped protecting element for the clock interposed between the clock and signalling memher, and means for securing the clock protecting element, clock and signalling member together to, be movable as a unit.

3. The combination with a steering wheel, of a resiliently mounted signalling member carried thereby and axially alined therewith, said wheel and member being relatively arranged to permitl yielding movement to the wheel and to her from the wheel of the member axially relative prevent removal of the memwhen in position on a steering post, a clock having an interfltting connection 5 with the signalling member, a. cup-shaped protesting at ntfor posed betweenthe and means tor one the clock having a part intersignalling member and clock, boring the clock and element 

